Recruiting has been the foundation for Penn State women's soccer's meteoric rise to the upper echelon of the sport.

With the Nittany Lions' season ending in late November, recruiting became the top priority as Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins and her two assistants hit the road to harvest new talent for the team.

To further its efforts in that area, the team announced yesterday the hiring of Michael Coll as the new assistant coach, taking over for the departed Melissa Ramsey.

Coll, a 1997 Penn State alumnus and former soccer player for the Lions, has joined Wilkins and assistant coach Tim Rosenfeld and has already played in an active role in recruiting for next year's class.

"I'm delighted to come back here and to be associated with a team that's been so successful since its inception," Coll said. "It's fantastic."

After serving as an assistant with Penn State's men's program after graduating, Coll returns to Happy Valley after most recently being the coach for the St. Francis (Pa.) women's soccer team.

"I think he brings a great understanding of what we're trying to accomplish here," Wilkins said. "He has great soccer knowledge."

Coll will likely assume much of Ramsey's duties with the team. However, he will most likely work more closely with the defenders, whereas Ramsey worked more with the midfielders.

Ramsey, an assistant coach with the team since Wilkins took over as head coach in 2001, is still in the community, according to Wilkins, and is currently focusing time with the club soccer program.

A starting defender from 1993-1996 for Penn State, Coll helped lead the Lions to a Big Ten title in 1993.

Not being far removed from his playing career gives Coll a good insight into the player's perspective, something that Penn State hopes will help with recruiting.

"I think he's able to relate to people quite well," Wilkins said. "He's easy to talk to and has a great sense of humor, so that's really useful in recruiting. Plus, he has been a head coach and has a good sense of talent."

The Lions have reached the NCAA tournament quarterfinals for the past six seasons, including two trips to the College Cup -- the women's soccer equivalent of the Final Four.

Coll is optimistic that he can help continue that winning tradition in the Lions' attempt to capture their first national title.

"I really believe that we can continue to win Big Ten championships and go on to challenge for national championships. I think that's a realistic possibility."